By Katherine Massopust—
PERTH AMBOY – At the 8/14/13 City Council Meeting there was a discussion over the handicapped parking space on Market Street in front of City Hall of whether or not to limit the time for parking in that particular space. The ordinance was originally written to limit the time to thirty minutes.
In the 7/17/13 issue of the Amboy Guardian City Attorney stated that he is the one that initiated this limitation on handicapped parking. “We want to limit the time so other handicapped people can park there. I’ve seen people park there for hours.”
Resident Alan Silber stated, “Are you going to limit a handicapped person’s right? What if a handicapped person wants to meet with someone like the Mayor or B.A.? One half hour does not meet with ADA requirements. I think that two hours will fit. Other cities do it for four hours.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski felt that one particular resident (John Siberry) was targeted by placing a time limit on that handicapped space. He referred to a past incident involving Siberry, (who often parks in that particular handicapped spot) and the Mayor’s husband. Sierakowski stated, “Mr. Siberry was verbally abused by the Mayor’s husband (during that incident). All of this is retaliation. Mr. Siberry is a target. If you are so concerned, there should be two spaces there. Any public place allows two handicapped parking spaces for two hours.”
Blunda stated, “Thirty minutes is sufficient. The limitation is appropriate. The time limit will assist the handicapped. There should be a limitation.”
Council President Joel Pabon stated, “After Monday’s (Caucus) Meeting I came back with someone who is handicapped; we came upstairs and bought a candy bar (from the vending machine). It took 20 minutes with my assistance. I’d like the Council to think about this. Whether it’s to come to see the Mayor or B.A. it’s going to take long.”
Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez stated that the parking spots in front of City Hall have a 15 minute time limit. “If someone is going to meet the Mayor or B.A., 15 minutes is not enough.”
The Council amended the ordinance to a two-hour time limit. The amended ordinance passed.
